All About Asthma

When a person with asthma is exposed to one of their “triggers” – such as allergens, cigarette smoke, exercise or viral infections, that person’s airways will produce mucus in the airways. Exposure to an allergic trigger, such as cat dander or tree pollen sets off that person’s immune system, causing inflammation and swelling in the airways and nasal passages.

The muscles of the airway may also contract. All of these factors make it difficult to breathe.

The person with asthma may cough, wheeze, feel short of breath and have tightness in the chest. In severe asthma attacks, a person might have difficulty talking, have a blue-ish color on the lips or fingernails. Some people experience a pulling in of the muscles between the ribs or above the breast or collar bones while breathing.

Prevalence

Asthma is a common chronic disease of the airways that’s estimated to affect 300 million people around the world*.

In the United States an astounding 26* million people have been diagnosed with asthma. For perspective, that’s more than the population of Australia.

In Canada, more than 15 per cent of children ages 4 to 11 have been diagnosed with asthma, and overall the disease affects 2.6 million Canadians***.

This website is based on journalist reporting. The information it contains is meant as general guidance and is not to be interpreted as diagnosis and treatment of individual patient conditions. For such specific medical advice, visit an allergist or pulmonologist.